Central Florida activists protest hunting alligators as season begins
SANFORD, Fla. — Alligator season has officially begun in Florida and hunters have already headed to the water this week. Hunter Harry Austin said gator hunting is just what people do in Florida. Read: “He’s just chillin’ “: Deputies respond after woman reports alligator in swimming pool“I think gator hunting is part of Florida, it’s what we’ve always been part of,” he said. “Prior to the 1970s, alligators were hunted almost to extinction and there was a brief pause on alligator hunting and how do we reward them? According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are about 1.3 million alligators across Florida.
wftv.comOrange County deputies respond after alligator found in swimming pool
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County deputies responded to a renegade reptile this week. Read: Alligator hunting season starts in Florida with expanded time, weaponsOrange County deputies Jonathan Hill and Janeen Jeffra were called to an east Orange County home after the homeowner woke up to find an alligator had crawled into her pool. Photos: Orange County deputies respond after alligator found in swimming poolExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Orange County deputies respond after alligator found in swimming poolThe alligator was captured and relocated to the St. Johns River by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Watch: ‘I knew I was in a gator’: Florida firefighter and paramedic describes alligator attackFlorida residents should always be careful around water because of alligators. Watch: Man uses Jiu Jistsu skills to wrangle alligator in his drivewayAnyone who sees an alligator where it shouldn’t be is encouraged to call FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
wftv.com‘I knew I was in a gator’: Florida firefighter and paramedic describes alligator attack
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida firefighter and paramedic is speaking out after he was attacked by an alligator. Read: Alligator hunting season starts in Florida with expanded time, weaponsTwo weeks after the attack in Pinellas County, JC Defeats is back home and recovering. Photos: Florida firefighter and paramedic describes alligator attackExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Florida firefighter and paramedic describes alligator attackHis friend was shooting video from above and captured a 12-foot alligator heading straight for Defeats. Watch: Man uses Jiu Jistsu skills to wrangle alligator in his driveway“All I felt was scales, teeth,” Defeats said. “What I felt like I did was that I immediately tried to open its jaws because I knew I was in a gator.
wftv.comLake County firefighters rescue dog trapped underground, tangled in roots
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Firefighters in Lake County worked over the weekend to rescue a trapped dog. READ: Alligator hunting season starts in Florida with expanded time, weaponsFirst responders were called out for a “citizen assist” call for a dog named Fia. Firefighters said Fia was trapped underground for hours and had become entangled with tree roots. Lake County firefighters rescue dog trapped underground, tangled in rootsREAD: Coast Guard: 187 Cuban migrants arrested after landing in FloridaLake County firefighters from the Mascotte station worked to remove the dog and reunited her with family. WATCH: Boy’s leg amputated after surviving shark attack while snorkeling in Florida KeysClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
wftv.comAlligator gets stuck underneath Leesburg police officer’s car
Video: Alligator gets stuck underneath Leesburg police officer's car A fleeing “suspect” got stuck underneath a Leesburg police officer’s cruiser. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)LEESBURG, Fla. — A fleeing “suspect” got stuck underneath a Leesburg police officer’s cruiser. READ: Later, alligator: Tips to safely coexist with Florida’s 1.3M gatorsPolice said they were trying to wrangle an alligator when it took off and wedged itself under an officer’s car. Officers said they were able to get the gator out safely, and the car wasn’t permanently damaged. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comBrevard man arrested after caught shooting a pellet gun at gator
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — A Rockledge man was arrested after a video showed him shooting an alligator with a pellet gun. Deputies said Peyton Anderson was arrested on Sunday after he shot the alligator while it was swimming in the body of water behind his house in Brevard County. According to the arrest report, Anderson made a spontaneous utterance admitting to shooting the alligator. Deputies said the incident was captured on video, where you can see the alligator being shot. According to the report, prior to being shot, the gator was clearly not a threat to any surrounding person or domestic animals.
wftv.comAn alligator escaped from backyard in Wisconsin, went on a walk around neighborhood
An alligator escaped from backyard in Wisconsin, went on a walk around neighborhood (Kenosha Police Department)KENOSHA, Wis. — An alligator escaped from a backyard in Wisconsin and went on a stroll around the neighborhood. >> Read more trending newsAccording to WISN, some children found an alligator roaming around on the street in a Wisconsin neighborhood Tuesday after it had escaped from the backyard. Its owner, David Prill, told WISN that the alligator was outside in the sun all day enjoying the kiddie pool before he realized the alligator had escaped from his backyard. However, according to WISN, the alligator was eventually turned back over to Prill as KPD determined there was nothing illegal about keeping it. Prill told WISN that the alligator can bite but it isn’t really dangerous.
wftv.comAlligator bites 6-year-old on Louisiana lake
Alligator bites 6-year-old on Louisiana lake Stock photo of an alligator. A 6-year-old Louisiana boy was bitten by an alligator while spending an afternoon on Lake Maurepas on Sunday, July 10, 2022. LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. — A 6-year-old Louisiana boy was bitten by an alligator while spending Sunday afternoon on Lake Maurepas. Don't feed the gators (Livingston (Louisiana) Parish Fire Protection District No.
wftv.comAlligator found in Wisconsin lake
Alligator myths explained Alligator myths explainedOSCEOLA, Wis. — Rescuers in Wisconsin are hoping an owner comes forward to claim an alligator found swimming in a lake. >> Read more trending newsJ&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR) said in a post on its Facebook page that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources surrendered the alligator, which was found swimming in Long Lake. This Alligator was found swimming in Long Lake (Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties) and surrendered to us by the... Posted by J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue on Wednesday, July 6, 2022Wardens with the Department of Natural Resources on boat patrol saw the alligator swimming, WGBA reported. Alligator found in Wisconsin lake Rescuers said they believe the alligator was either a pet that escaped or was released when the owner could no longer care for it. Alligator found in Wisconsin lake Rescuers said that they will wait for a week for the owners to come forward before trying to place the animal at an accredited sanctuary.
wftv.comAlligator kills person in SC retention pond, police say
Alligator An alligator can be seen in this undated photo. (passion4nature/Getty Images/iStockphoto, File)HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — Police are investigating after an alligator killed a person Friday in a retention pond in a community near Myrtle Beach. “Upon arrival, units determined that an alligator had taken hold of a neighbor and retreated into a nearby retention pond,” police said in a news release. There is no further threat in the area of Myrtle Beach Golf and Yacht. Police said the victim, who was not identified, and the alligator were subsequently recovered from the pond.
wftv.comIt’s alligator mating season, here are tips to keep you safe
ORLANDO, Fla. — Alligator mating season is upon us and with more people enjoying the spring weather, Gatorland is offering safety tips to the public. Alligators can be found in any body of water in the state of Florida and can be found in all 67 counties across The Sunshine State. Most alligator mating takes place in May and June, with nesting in late June and July. Read: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson reveals new wax figure coming to OrlandoHere are some important tips to keep in mind:· Be aware of your surroundings. You can report any alligator concerns by contacting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
wftv.comWWE stars help make dreams come true for wrestlers with Down syndrome
ORLANDO, Fla. — An event in Orlando helped aspiring wrestlers with Down syndrome to become professionals. Photos: WWE stars help make dreams come true for wrestlers with Down syndromeExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 WWE stars help make dreams come true for wrestlers with Down syndromeThe night featured WWE stars, special performances and even celebrity guest appearances. READ: 9 things to do this weekend: License-free freshwater fishing, Spring Fever in the Garden and moreOrganizers are helping the wrestlers to raise money for medical issues. “One is fighting for his sister, to get her medical treatment and to help her out with her home and facilities,” said John Chiorando, a board member with the Down Syndrome Foundation. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
wftv.comKayaker pulls 4-foot alligator from Massachusetts river
Alligator caught: A 4-foot alligator was caught swimming in a Massachusetts river, months after it was first sighted. But spotting an alligator in Massachusetts two weeks before the onset of winter is an unusual sight. Wildlife officials said they believed the alligator was an illegal pet that had been released into the river. “Several kayakers were inspired to try to locate and capture the animal but were unsuccessful,” wildlife officials told WWLP. Tonight hear from an Agawam resident who rescued this alligator from the Westfield River in West Springfield.
wftv.comTuesday’s forecast: Partly cloudy start, stray thunderstorm possible this afternoon
ORLANDO, Fla. — Tuesday will start off partly cloudy but there is a chance for a shower or thunderstorm this afternoon. If you live along the coast, there is a chance for a brief shower throughout the morning hours. READ: Powerball drawing: Winning ticket for $699.8M jackpot sold in CaliforniaAreas inland will stay dry until the afternoon. There is a 30% chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm. READ: Alligator attacks woman who fell into South Florida canalTemperatures will heat near 90.
wftv.comMaryland man kills alligator he trapped near Chesapeake Bay
Alligator killed in Maryland A Maryland man killed an 8-foot alligator that had ventured into a pond near Chesapeake Bay. — A Maryland man, who found a nearly 8-foot alligator in a pond off Chesapeake Bay, caught it with chicken breasts as bait and then fatally shot it with a crossbow. A Maryland man trapped and killed an alligator spotted near Chesapeake beaches in Calvert County: https://t.co/AoVKyihzus pic.twitter.com/WLQw2Y2R9j — 7News DC (@7NewsDC) June 22, 2021“I looked down and about a foot away was a big alligator head,” Adams told the newspaper. Over this past weekend, Adams set up trap lines with hooks to catch the alligator, WJLA reported. “People were saying how I shouldn’t have done it because it’s tame,” Adams told WJLA.
wftv.comAlligator found hiding under vending machine at Florida convenience store
Alligator found hiding under vending machine at Florida convenience store Stock photo of a baby alligator. According to the Miami Herald, deputies in Florida rescued a 3-foot-long alligator Wednesday after Polk City residents spotted the reptile underneath a Circle K vending machine. >> Read more trending newsAccording to the Miami Herald, deputies in Florida rescued a 3-foot-long alligator Wednesday after Polk City residents spotted the reptile underneath a Circle K vending machine. “This little guy was hanging out under a vending machine @CircleKStores. This little guy was hanging out under a vending machine @CircleKStores.
wftv.comTexas driver hurt after crashing into 10-foot alligator; reptile dies
Alligator killed A 10-foot, 300-pound alligator is carted away after it was killed when it was hit by a vehicle early Thursday. (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Alligators continue to cause Texas motorists to do double-takes. >> Read more trending newsA motorist in southeast Texas suffered minor injuries when his vehicle collided with a 10-foot, 300-pound alligator early Thursday, the Houston Chronicle reported. It was the second recent auto accident in the Houston area involving an alligator in the road. >> Alligator causes traffic delay by napping on Houston bridge“Adding to the list of things not commonly seen while on patrol,” the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post.
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